Alonso will join McLaren in 2007

[Monseratto]

World champion Fernando Alonso will join McLaren from Renault in 2007.
The Spaniard is contracted to Renault for next season but his move will oust either Kimi Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya at McLaren.

The moves comes just days after McLaren signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Vodafone.

"It's great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the package has been endorsed by the world champion," said team boss Ron Dennis.

"We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this is objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors."

Dennis added: "We are in discussions with our current drivers regarding the 2007 season.

"Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the championship."

Alonso became the youngest ever world champion - at 24 - and the first from Spain when he clinched the title in Brazil in September to end Michael Schumacher's five-year reign.

He said: "To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver.

"It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this new exciting partnership there is something to look forward to.

"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss.

"I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100% on defending the world championship next year."

Sino naman aalis sa Mclaren?!? Kimi rumoured to go Ferrari ???

[mazdamazda]

Wow!!! This is one exciting development!!!

Baka ma solidify nito ang pag alis ni Kimi sa McLaren. Heck, baka umalis rin si JPM (for BMW or Williams?)

[Kanut]

IMO they should have kept kimi.Malas lang sila sa engine last season kaya natalo ni alonso si kimi.Given the same luck,kimi would have beaten alonso.But then if kimi's going to ferrari,its not bad at all.The question is,,where does this leave renault??
What an interesting shakeup.

[number001]

I doubt Kimi and Alonso would be good in one team. It would be like Alain Prost and Aryton Senna in 1988 but sans the all out winning spree for the season since Kimi and Alonso might take each other out just like what happened with Senna and Prost later on (when they were on different teams).

[empy]

is this for real?? i guess we should just give Mclaren the Constructor's right now

i understand the choice might not be completely theirs, but Mclaren would be foolish if they don't do whatever they can to keep Kimi. to use a basketball analogy, if you have a chance to get Shaq, you don't trade Dwyane Wade...you tell Lamar Odom thanks for his contributions, but bye now :hihihi:

yes, anything can happen. yes, Alonso and Kimi might not get along. but if you get a chance to lock up the two best young drivers who will only get better and stay great for a long long time, you take it.

then they can focus all their efforts on building a car that doesn't break :bwahaha:

[Kanut]

Alonso and Kimi in mclaren---sounds like Montoya and Ralf in williams.

Deadly combination.Why?Timebomb waiting to explode. :fight:

[BoyFerrari]

Alonso and Kimi in mclaren---sounds like Montoya and Ralf in williams.

Deadly combination.Why?Timebomb waiting to explode. :fight:

Are you saying Ralf will be returning to Williams ????

My guess would be Kimi and Felipe on a Ferrari. Schumi will retire.

[Mguy]

Still, I can't understand it that they allow 2007 signings when the 2006 season have not yet begun. Signings should only be done during the silly season so the drivers wouldn't have that aura of throwing races if they get into crashes or blows up engines.

[cardo]

I can't believe it when I read about this news. Kimi and Alonso? WTF?

I think Mclaren is just preparing for either Kimi or Juan deflecting to another team at the end of the 06 season. Whoever they loose at the end of 2006, they have a good foundation with alonso already signed. Alonso-Monty or Kimi-Alonso it's a devastating combo either way... But I'd rather have kimi

But I personally think they will do whatever they can to keep Kimi, Alonso is just insurance in case Kimi goes somewhere else(worst case scenario). Siguro, rather than Alonso moving to rival ferrari why not sign em? Or.... if you can't beat your enemy, sign em up and have him join your team hehehe

Sana 2007 season na!!!!

[mazdamazda]

Baka naman one of the McLaren drivers signed up with Renault already... hmmm...

[kimpOy]

early this year there are cloud of rumors that kimi will don a red suit in 07,
and it seems that it's becoming clearer and clearer...

i wish JPM should win more so that i'll see Connie Montoya on the screen he..he

[BoyFerrari]

I tell you, it's a DEFENSIVE move by McLaren, because Raikkonen is bound to replace Schumacher at Ferrari in 2007. Mabilis ang pang-amoy nila.

[jeff1101]

I'm hearing rumours that Briatorre knew Alonso opted for McLaren and that he was
powerless to stop the Spaniard since Renault's participation in F1 beyond 2006 is now
in doubt because of conflicts with the FIA. (i.e. Renault is siding with Michelin and
leaving F1 in disgust)

I think Alonso is just ensuring he has a racing seat with an enviable team
beyond 2006. And since he couldnt stand being second dog to Schumacher
I think the McLaren choice is but logical. Anyway his ripe for a change anyway
since he already spent 5 seasons with Renault.

Also the deal cost McLaren 94 Million, Im not really sure how much is this
spread over x number of years, but still Alonso got himself one heck of a
deal. He must be smiling from ear to ear...

[niky]

The rumors of Kimi's defection have been substantiated. He's definitely going red in 2007.

[DoctorDoom]

It's highly unlikely that Kimi and Fernando will be driving alongside the same Mercedes Benz. So now that Fernando's seat has been confirmed, we know now who will move out of McLaren in 2007.

[squala]

I think it's Kimi. He's given his all this year and 2003 only to finish 2nd to drivers against whom he has better performance. It's about time Benz do their homework.

[Kanut]

Are you saying Ralf will be returning to Williams ????

My guess would be Kimi and Felipe on a Ferrari. Schumi will retire.

Nahh.Remember Frank Williams' giant headache back then when ralf and JPM were teammates??

If its Kimi thats getting the boot, will JPM get along with alonso??Highly unlikely.

[number001]

JPM will not get along with anyone. Period.

In CART, while in Chip Ganassi Racing, JPM was cordial with Jimmy Vasser. JPM was the #1 driver of the team, dominating most of the wins for the team so IMO, he does not need to lock horns with Vasser. In JPM's mind, Vasser driving skills cannot match his' so no problem. When JPM moved to F1 with BMW Williams teams from 2001-2004, we all know that JPM and Schu Jr. were never in good terms even before they even met! JPM, the better driver of the two but by a slight margin only, is feeling pressured which explains his hostility and (probably) lack of teamwork. In 2005, JPM moves to McLaren, this time with a much better driver alongside him as his team mate, Kimi. JPM likes to lock horns with Kimi (in the background) by not being cooperative in their team efforts to defeat Renault. This was quite apparent in the last few races when JPM was really out of the championship and technically have nothing to lose by helping Kimi out.

[Monseratto]

Toyota keen on Raikkonen

Toyota are planning to offer Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen a five year contract worth an estimated 100 million euros from 2007, German newspaper Bild reported on Sunday.

The Finn, who finished runner-up to Fernando Alonso this season after winning seven races, is contracted to McLaren until the end of 2006.

In October Raikkonen, 25, was forced to deny rumours that he had already agreed to replace dethroned champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari at the end of next season.

Source AFP

[mazdamazda]

Wow! It looks like it could be a bidding war for the services of Kimi...